#2115: Large Scales

Some large-scale symphonic works take center stage on this edition of New Sounds. Michael Gordon's Decasia is described by its composer as "a large-scale single movement relentlessly monumental work about decay - the decay of melody, the decay of tuning, the decay of classical music itself." If that doesn't get your attention, it's worth considering that Gordon has retuned a giant amplified orchestra to resemble a piano fallen from a great height, with gripping strings, four detuned pianos, and massive winds and brass. We also hear a new recording of Steve Reich’s Music for Large Ensemble (1977), in a performance by Alarm Will Sound and Ossia. And to conclude the show, a portion of Terry Riley's epic, In C.

PROGRAM #2115 Music for large ensembles (First aired on 1/15/03)

ARTIST(S)	RECORDING	CUT(S)	SOURCE
Steve Reich	Triple Quartet	Music For A Large Ensemble [15:00]	Nonesuch #79546* Available for purchase at Amazon.com*
Michael Gordon	Decasia	Decasia, excerpt [18:00]	Cantaloupe #21008* www.cantaloupemusic.com
The Styrenes	Terry Riley: In C	In C, excerpt [16:00]	Enja #9435* www.enjarecords.com

Find the recordings you've heard - go to the New Sounds Recordings Information page